When the police call the slaughter of his mother and brother a home invasion gone bad, Mika doesn't believe it. Because he has no way to prove otherwise, he closes down, refusing to talk about what happened.<br><br>That is until Buck, a bouncer at a local bar Mika visits, convinces Mika to open up to him. When he does, Buck not only learns about the murder, but also that Mika grew up living off the grid until his father died, two years previously, at which point his family moved to the city.<br><br>They begin to bond as they try to figure out the reason behind the murders, which may revolve around the family property in the mountains. All they have to do is prove it, without being killed in the process. Only if they can will they take a chance and move their growing friendship on to something more.

Hunting a Killer

“I wish I did,” Mika told him. “That way I might be able to figure out who hired him.” He kept his gaze on the sheriff’s face rather than glancing away, hoping he wouldn’t know he was lying. It’s no quite a lie, anyway. I don’t know whatit is, but we do have it, if that’s what’s in the box


“Once we learn who he was, it’s possible we can track him back to his employer—or not. We’ll see. Right now, I’m going to take you to Doc Snyder so he can check you out.”


Buck shook his head. “I have to get back. I’m due at work.”


“You’re in no condition to work,” Mika stated firmly. “Call in sick. They’ll deal.”


Buck looked as if he was going to argue, then ceded to Mika’s wishes. After he ended the call—which he said went better than expected—the sheriff took them a block over to the doctor’s office.


Chapter 26